Chapter Eight

Reverse X Uniforms

When I arrived home that day, I found Haruka in the living room.

“This has gotta be a bad dream!” I cried. “I’m gonna wake up any second now, right?!”

“Oh, Hiromichi. Sorry for barging in like this.”

“H-Haruka, wh-what are you doing in my apartment?!”

I was immediately overwhelmed by a sense of panic, and a dozen questions erupted so quickly in my head that they practically caused my eyes to roll in their sockets.

Why’s Haruka here? How does she know where I live? What should I do? Should I serve her tea? No, now’s not the time for that! First things first, I need to know if she found out about Shigure, and—wait, where’s Shigure?

As I took a second to breathe, I gave the girl in my living room a long, discerning look. And just as I’d feared, she burst into laughter, that malicious grin plastered across her face.

“Ahahahaha! Your reactions never disappoint!”

“I knew it! It is you, Shigure!” I cried.

“Yep, it’s your adorable little sister. But wow, your responses are always perfect—have you ever looked into acting?”

“Give me a friggin’ break...” I grumbled as I slumped against the wall, completely drained of energy.

Since she’d been wearing Seiun’s uniform, I hadn’t been able to tell for a moment, but the girl in my living room had been Shigure all along. Good lord, she’d almost given me a heart attack—seriously, I think I’d felt my heart stop at least three times. But more importantly...

“Why are you wearing that uniform?” I asked. “Did you buy one?”

“You think we have that kind of money?”

“Then where did you get it from?”

“I exchanged outfits with Haruka, just for today. She wanted to try out Shueikan’s uniform,” Shigure replied without hesitation, puffing out her shapely bust. She’d tucked her shirt in, which made her chest appear bigger than usual. “Also, I really wanted to see how you’d react,” she added with a laugh.

“Well, I’m happy to have met your expectations, goddammit.”

“Ahaha. No need to get your panties in a knot over something as small as this. And anyway, it doesn’t really look like you’re upset over the whole thing.”

Huh? Is she referring to me?

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Haruka and I are identical—from our hairstyles down to our figures. Since I’m wearing her clothes, doesn’t it feel like it’s your very own girlfriend in your apartment?”

“You’re flying a little too close to the sun there, Icarus.”

“Hiromichiii... Can we go back to bed?”

“You lookin’ for a fight, ya little skank?”

“Wait, don’t come any closer with that serial killer look in your eyes! You’re scaring me! What are you planning to do with that 2B pencil in your hand?! I’m sorry! It won’t happen again!”

Geez, what a brat. I placed the 2B pencil I’d reflexively grabbed on top of the tea table.

“My God, talk about terrifying,” Shigure grumbled. “Blowing your fuse over one little joke—do you have no sense of humor?”

“I do if the jokes are actually funny,” I responded.

“Wow! Rude, much?”

“Hurry up and get changed. You must be dying in that uniform without any air conditioning in here.”

“Sorry, but I’ll pass. I was looking forward to wearing this, too. Let me enjoy it for a little longer, please. Oh, this is the perfect opportunity to take some pictures!”

With that, Shigure whipped out her smartphone. Why did girls like taking selfies so much? They’d even post them online. Personally, I didn’t want to leave behind a single picture of myself for future generations.

“Hmm... Something about this isn’t right,” Shigure said. “Big Bro, will you be my photographer?”

“Huh, why me?”

“There are only so many angles and poses you can do yourself when taking a selfie. How about this: if you take a few photos, I’ll change clothes after. But if you don’t take any, then who knows? Maybe I’ll end up wearing this the rest of the day... and since we’re home alone right now, I might even undo a few buttons.”

Shigure looked at me with upturned eyes and loosened her necktie, exposing her damp collarbone. At this point, I only had one option.

“Got it,” I sighed. “C’mon, hand over your phone already.”

“Of course. Make sure they’re cute, though. I’ll start getting ready.”

And with that, Shigure began to slowly peel her socks down, revealing her bare feet.

“Why are you taking those off?” I asked.

“Hm? Bare feet make for a sexier picture, right? It’ll really give off the ‘your girlfriend just came over to hang out after school’ vibe. Like, ‘If things get a little heated, maybe she’ll let her guard down, and I can push her down on the bed.’ Pretty steamy, don’tcha think?”

Yeah, I definitely get that.

Oh, crap—I’d just agreed with her whole-heartedly, even if only subconsciously. If I’d voiced that aloud, there was no doubt she would have ridiculed me into oblivion again.

This had turned into a matter of life and death—I was completely powerless to her usual teasing as long as she wore Haruka’s uniform. I’d snap a few, quick photos to satisfy her in the hopes that she would change.

“Let me know once you’ve decided on a pose,” I said.

“Alrighty.”

Once she’d settled on a few, I began to snap some photos on her phone. I followed her requests, adjusting the angle and distance, taking snapshot after snapshot. We used the living room as the backdrop, which she took full advantage of. She sat on top of the tatami mat, knees tucked up to her chest, and fiddled coyly with her toes. She spread a notebook open on the tea table and pressed the eraser end of a pencil to her pursed lips, pretending to be deep in thought. Finally, she returned to the mat, where she flopped on her back and peered up at the camera, eyes brimming with desire.

This is steamy as hell, I thought while taking the pictures.

“Hmm,” Shigure suddenly spoke up. “I want to show off my belly button while lying on the ground. Let me untuck my shirt, and then we’ll do it one more time.”

“Ergh...” I grumbled. What should I do?

My heart was racing faster than I’d anticipated. As I photographed her, I’d had to remind myself over and over again that it was Shigure behind the lens. But due to the uniform, I could only see Haruka—it felt like my girlfriend had come over to my apartment and let her guard down in front of me. And whenever Shigure wore a somewhat inviting expression for the camera, my mind would get all muddled trying to distinguish between the two of them. To me, it seemed as if my girlfriend was letting loose at my place.

This is bad.

If this bully noticed my sweaty palms, I’d be a goner. No matter what, I needed to conceal my nerves. In a desperate attempt to hide my expression, I snapped another picture.

By the grace of God, I somehow managed to ride out this photo session. I finally returned Shigure’s phone and let her check the shots.

“Are you satisfied with those?” I asked.

“Wow, you’re pretty good at this. Take a look at this angle—there’s a nice contrast between the setting sun and the shadows. You’ve got the makings of a professional upskirt photographer.”

“As if I’d be looking for such a niche job in an already tiny field.”

“Anyways... when I look at myself in these pictures, I can really see the resemblance I share with Haruka. We obviously have the same face, but even the shape of our perky tits and ass are identical. I can understand why you’re absolutely drenched in sweat.”

“I am not ‘absolutely drenched in sweat,’ thanks,” I protested. Plus, I didn’t exactly want to hear girls talking about tits and ass, “perky” or otherwise—it made me want to run and hide. “You’re satisfied now, right? Hurry up and change.”

“True, I do need to start making dinner soon. I wouldn’t want to get this uniform dirty while I’m cooking.”

Thank God. Shigure seems satisfied as well. Now I can finally—

“But before I change, I need to provide you with payment,” she said.

“Huh? Payment?”

“Hi-yadi-yadi-yah!”

As I was busy puzzling over her incomprehensible words, Shigure pushed me down and straddled me.

“Huh?” I croaked out, only managing a feeble sound to voice my confusion. “Wha?”

Shigure placed a hand on my chest with her usual, sadistic smile.

“Hehe,” she giggled. “Your heart’s racing like crazy. You might’ve called me a ‘little skank,’ but is that how you really feel? When you see me in this outfit, doesn’t it feel like having Haruka in your apartment? How adorable.”

“L-Like hell it does,” I protested.

“Liar,” Shigure whispered mockingly.

Her face steadily approached mine, and, ever so gently, her hair tumbled out from behind her shoulders. The strands caressed my cheeks, and my whole body shuddered, as if I’d been tickled by feathers.

When she noticed this, Shigure’s dark, impish smile grew even wider. “‘Like hell,’ you say?” she asked. “Then why’s your heart pounding like a drum?”

“Ugh.”

Shigure’s beautifully maintained nails lightly traced themselves over my chest. “You’re just the worst. I’m not Haruka—just someone with the same DNA as her. So why are you so nervous? Your face is bright red, too. Where did that cool older brother who said he’d accept me with open arms run off to? You really are pathetic. You wouldn’t want Haruka to see you like this, would you?”

“I’m just surprised because you pounced on me all of a sudden. Now can you get off me? I’m about to lose my patience for real.”

I glared back at Shigure with all the strength I could muster, trying to put on a bold front. In response, she backed her face away from mine, wiggling her red tongue around.

“Sorry,” she said. “I do understand. We’re twins, after all. Of course someone with the same face and body as your girlfriend would cause your heart to race. You’re not in the wrong here. Not at all. I mean, you’re just viewing Haruka through me. In other words, you’re getting excited over your girlfriend, not me. I’m not even on your radar. Isn’t that right?”

“Of course! I’m team Haruka all the way!”

“Still, because I’m a different person... because I’m her twin sister, I can do things for you that a timid, late bloomer like Haruka never could.”

“What are you say—”

Before I could finish asking the question, Shigure got up on her knees and grabbed the hem of her skirt. This girl, Haruka’s doppelganger, began to lift it right before my very eyes.

“As thanks for today,” said Shigure, “I’ll let you have a peek at your beloved Haruka’s panties.”

“H-Hold on a second! I’m begging you! Please don’t do this!” I screamed.

Wh-What the hell is this girl thinking?! I was in a state of complete panic. I tried to get away, frantically scooting away from the temptress, but my back almost immediately met resistance—I’d hit the wall, blocking off my only escape route. Shit, this apartment is too small! There’s nowhere to run!

And while I sat there, immobilized, Shigure’s fingers inched further and further toward the heavens.

“You idiot!” I cried. “Are you insane?! Do you have no sense of shame?!”

“This is a little embarrassing, but I have to thank you somehow, Big Bro.”

“G-Girls shouldn’t do this sort of thing! Have some self-respect!”

“I have plenty of self-respect. You think I’d do this for just about anyone?”

“You don’t have to do it for me either! In fact, if you pull this shit with Haruka’s uniform on, I’ll never for—”

“Hi-yah!”

“Eeeyaaah!”

Shigure flipped her skirt up. Shutting my eyes tight, I swiveled my neck to the side.

I-I can’t believe this girl! She just lifted up her goddamn skirt without the slightest hesitation! No matter how much she enjoys teasing me, this is going way too far!

In any case, I needed to find a way to push her off and escape with my eyes closed.

“Just kidding!” she giggled. “I’m wearing bike shorts underneath!”

Huh?

“Ahaha! That was quite the shriek, Big Bro! Your neck swiveled around like an owl or something! A cute girl is lifting her skirt up as a favor, and you react like you’re possessed by a demon? Why are you so desperate to look away? You’re seriously too precious for words!”

“Guh!”

H-How much more diabolic can she get?! And while wearing Haruka’s clothes, no less!

I was finally at the end of my rope—I wouldn’t stand for this sort of behavior. As Haruka’s boyfriend and Shigure’s older brother, I had to give her a piece of my mind.

“Give it a rest!” I shouted, turning back around to glare at Shigure. “You may be my little sister, but some things are just inexcu—”

Hey, where did her bike shorts go?

“Uuuh...” I managed to mumble, losing all my previous steam.

Hold on, what the hell is going on here?! Those can’t be bike shorts! They look exactly like panties! No, they are panties! Okay, it’s not like I’ve ever seen a girl’s panties up close and personal before, but c’mon—they’re pink! And the fabric looks really expensive! This is exactly what they look like in manga! What is she thinking, flipping her skirt up in front of a dude?! I’m going to have a freakin’ heart attack here!

“Haruka normally rolls up her skirt pretty high,” Shigure said. “But to make sure no one sees anything, she wears these little bike shorts underneath. What, you didn’t know that despite being her boyfriend? Or did you just not have the guts to take a peek?”

“N-Not! B-Bike! Sh-Shortsss!” I sputtered between dramatic gasps.

“Hmm? What are you freaking out over? You mean even bike shorts are too stimulating for you? Haha! You’re seriously no better than an animal in heat. If this gets your rocks off, then by all means, stare as long as you like. C’mon, take another peek!”

---

---

No, that’s not what I’m trying to get at! Does Shigure not realize that she’s not wearing bike shorts?! Oh God, don’t wiggle your hips like that! The fabric’s bunching up around your crotch, and I can see—EEK! This ain’t good! This ain’t nothin’ but trouble! I need to clue her in right now!

“B-Banties!” I cried. “Bantieees!”

I’m so shaken up, I can’t even speak correctly! Damn it! How do I let this idiot know what’s going on? Oh, right!

All of a sudden, the clouds parted, and a voice from the heavens guided me down the right path. I quickly whipped my phone out of my pocket, snapped a picture of Shigure, and shoved the screen in her face.

“Geez, you even took a picture? You like my bike shorts that much? You really are hopeless. Well, since I’m feeling so generous, you can save it for as long as yo—Huh?”

Shigure had certainly been laughing it up at my expense, but all at once, she fell completely silent. “Hmm?” she mumbled, leaning toward my phone screen and staring fixedly at the picture. After taking some time to think, she rubbed her eyes and inspected the picture one more time.

“Me-me-meeep!” she blurted out an incomprehensible scream. Her face turned bright crimson, as though it would burst into flames at any moment. She hurriedly snatched the phone from me and scurried to the corner of the room in a panic. Her fingers danced across the screen—no doubt she was deleting the picture.

“Umm... Did you happen to see anything?” she asked timidly.

“If I said ‘no,’ would you believe me?”

“Aaaaagh!”

Shigure crumpled on the spot, sinking lower and lower to the ground like a downed battleship. After a few moments of holding her head in her collapsed state, she crawled back into her room through the screen door like some sort of bizarre caterpillar.

From behind the thin screen door, I could hear Shigure mumbling and rolling around.

“H-How did this happen?” she asked. “How come I’m not wearing the bike shorts? Something’s not right here—I mean, I borrowed these from Haruka, so there must be some sort of explanation. Oh, come to think of it, the apartment felt pretty humid when I got back... And since I raced over to make sure I got here first, I was sweating like crazy. I felt so gross that I took off... t-took off... aaaaah!”

Exposing her panties to me had seemingly pushed her to the limit. In the end, she didn’t come out of her room once for the rest of the day.

Such is the price of desecrating my girlfriend, ye sinner in the hands of a most righteous and wrathful god. Still, she really does lack any sense of shame.

As her older brother, that had come as the biggest surprise.